Uni professors write letter with key lessons for new premier

by emcbryde

Emma McBryde
Journalist

Although born and bred in Rockhampton, I’m still learning more and more about the people and community every day. We have a community filled with both inspirational locals and people who have been hard done by. I enjoy telling their tales and hopefully using my position to right the wrongs.

A GRIFFITH University political scientist has released an open letter to Queensland's new premier - no matter which side of politics he or she might come from.

School of government and international relations Professor Anne Tiernan sets out a blueprint for a more efficient and productive government in her letter based on research and her experience.

She said a key lesson from the election campaign and Saturday's result was the need to rebuild confidence and trust in "political processes and institutions".

Building trust was one of the most common subjects five Griffith professors touched on during a round-table discussion on Wednesday.

The academics specialising in various fields discussed what they would say during a three-minute speech to the 39th Queensland premier.

Government and International Relations

Along with the "Four P's" Prof Tiernan writes about in the open letter - People, Process, Policy and Politics - she also touched on the importance of listening to people and treating them well.

"If we've learned anything from the experience here over the last three years and federally, if you don't treat people well and nicely and insist that your staff do, then you're going to get what you deserve," Prof Tiernan said.

Prof Tiernan believes more transparency is also needed, suggesting revamping the laws on our right to information as one example.

Economy

Professor Fabrizio Carmignani said he would warn the new premier not to be obsessed with debt repayment.

The accounting, finance and economics department head said the government must make sure the debt was sustainable through ensuring deficit did not accumulate.

He said selling or leasing assets was not necessary, but rather the wrong response.

Prof Carmignani said he would tell the premier government expenditure should be synchronised with the economy and cutting expenditure was sometimes not a good policy.

Crime and justice

There would be only one message Professor Janet Ransley would need to put to the premier.

The school of criminology and criminal justice head said she would recommend relying on the evidence of what works in crime prevention and reduction and avoid knee-jerk reactions.

She said crime had steadily gone down in the past 15 years, yet imprisonment rates had escalated massively, particularly in the past three years.

"We know that locking more people up does not make us safer, in fact it contributes to increased recidivism," Prof Ransley said

"Instead we are distracted with bikies and boot camps, which we know don't work."

She said domestic violence was the real problem and required more resources.

Education

Professor Glenn Finger said while political cycles could be short, the education policy cycle lasted a lifetime.

The learning and teaching dean said the State needed a clear vision for world-class education for young people in a "globalised knowledge economy".

Prof Finger said there was too much focus on Queensland views, rather than teaching children as global citizens.

He said he would tell the new premier relationships between unions and schools needed to be re-instated and a lot of resources, particularly in higher education, were wasted.

Communities

Griffith Logan campus head Professor Lesley Chenoweth believes the next government needs to build a more inclusive Queensland.

She said there was a "real lack of trust" between communities and government.

Prof Chenoweth said the gap between rich and poor would need to be tackled with innovative solutions.

She said it was important the government stepped away from ideologies and focused on evidence when organising and implementing programs.